COLORADO SPRINGS, Co. – Saint Louis FC fell 3-0 away to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in front of 4,417 fans at Weidner Field in Match 11 of the USL regular season.
Colorado Springs scored the opening goal in the 32nd minute from the penalty spot with Luke Vercollone converting for his third goal of the season. Saeed Robinson would double the lead with his first goal of the season in the 61st minute before Vercollone added another in stoppage time to secure all three points for the home side. The loss sees Saint Louis FC move to a 3-3-5 record and remain on 14 points while Colorado Springs improve to 5-6-2 with 17 points in the USL Western Conference.
The first half started with Colorado Springs on the front foot as Robinson had a shot from the top of the box go narrowly wide in the 2nd minute. STLFC goalkeeper Jake Fenlason was then tested in the 8th minute as Vercollone had a breakaway opportunity but Fenlason stood tall to deny the goal. Saint Louis responded with a dangerous corner kick opportunity from loan debutant Pierre Da Silva that fell to the feet of Lewis Hilton but he shot straight at Colorado goalkeeper Steward Ceus to make the save. Colorado then earned a penalty kick as Vercollone was judged to be fouled in the box and he was the one to convert in the 32nd minute. STLFC had a great opportunity to equalize in the 34th minute as Da Silva worked down the left side and found Calistri in the box but his effort went wide to remain down 1-0 going into the halftime break.
The second half saw Saint Louis FC nearly equalize right away through substitute Albert Dikwa as he was played up the middle but had his shot saved in the 48th minute. STLFC then had a free kick opportunity just outside the box that was taken by Hilton but narrowly missed high in the 54th minute. Colorado Springs then doubled their lead after a breakaway situation saw Robinson collect the ball and unleash a shot from the top of the box that clipped the crossbar on its way into the back of the net in the 61st minute. STLFC pressed to get back in the game with Da Silva looking the most likely to make a difference but Colorado would put the game to bed as Vercollone scored his second of the night in stoppage time to see out the victory.
“I can’t fault the players effort, they gave everything they had but tonight we weren’t good enough,” said STLFC Head Coach Anthony Pulis. “Simple as that, no excuses. Now we will regroup, help the players learn from tonight and prepare to bounce back with a positive performance on Wednesday at home.”
UPCOMING GAMES
Saint Louis FC vs. Phoenix Rising FC – Wednesday, May 30th at 7:30 p.m. CT at Toyota Stadium
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Las Vegas – Saturday, June 2nd at 10:00 p.m. CT at Cashman Field
